"As the head coach of the football team, I evaluate football players and everything they do," Orgeron said. "I make decisions. One of the decisions I made was to play Thomas Eckers."

The situation gained some attention because of a botched snap in the first quarter. With a chance to take a 14-0 lead on first-and-goal from the Georgia 1-yard line, senior quarterback Seth Adams fumbled Eckers' snap. Georgia recovered, then drove 97 yards for a touchdown.

Asked if he expects Actis to play against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Orgeron said: "It's Monday, and I expect him to have a good day, a good day Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. And I make decisions on all our players like that. Guys don't do things I expect them to do, whether it be in the classroom or on the football field? I will make those decisions. Our depth chart is etched in sand, and I don't care who it is. They're not performing or not doing what we need them to do? We'll put them down. And that's what you're seeing."

Busted up

Senior running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis wasn't at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday morning. He was at the dentist. Green-Ellis lost two teeth and a bridge against Georgia, but he also had his strongest game since rushing for a career-best 226 yards against Missouri on Sept. 8. Against the Bulldogs, Green-Ellis rushed for 108 yards on 22 carries.

"It was good to see the run game make progress, good to see BenJarvus get back into action," Orgeron said.

Orgeron also credited some late-night work by his graduate assistants, who spent lots of time breaking down film of Georgia's defense last week. They isolated a few plays that had been effective against Georgia's defense earlier this season, and Orgeron said he and offensive coordinator Dan Werner incorporated them into the game plan.

"Our offensive staff works hard on research and development," Orgeron said.

Steady performer

Though overshadowed by the team's woes on defense, Adams continued his solid play against Georgia, completing 24-of-35 passes for 228 yards. Adams ranks fourth in the SEC in passing yards per game (238) and passing efficiency (137.9).

"It's exactly what you want in your quarterback," Orgeron said. "You want your quarterback to be an extension of the football staff on the football field. He's totally into what he's doing. And again, the guy was born wanting to be an Ole Miss quarterback, and now he has the opportunity. He's taking total advantage of that."